Ms Elliott said: “In the normal world of work, if serious allegations are made in the workplace then people are suspended and, of course, we’ve got to remember Adam Johnson was suspended by the club when these allegations were made.

“The question for me is more why the decision was made to allow him back.”

A Newcastle employment lawyer says the club could be corporately liable for his crimes.

Robert Gibson, from Samuel Phillips Law Firm, said the club “had a risk” on the basis he was paid to represent, not just play for, the club.

“In what capacity is Mr Johnson employed by Sunderland?” he asked.

“He’s not just paid to play football, he’s an ambassador, it’s a sport entertainment industry, they [players] are told, whenever they are outside the club they have a duty to behave and conduct themselves properly.

“I understand that he was using memorabilia such as football shirts to basically seduce this young lady, so I think Sunderland may have a risk there.”